Donations help to restock YWCA's children's library

EVANSVILLE - Two $10,000 donations are helping YWCA Evansville restock its children's library and educate young women about having healthy relationships.

Verizon and Jewish Women International last year teamed on a grant which enabled the YWCA library to take a giant leap. Heavily used by children of all ages, the colorful facility is a place where "kids can just come in and be a kid" and not feel that they are staying in a shelter, Director Erika Taylor said.

It's a place where students staying at the YWCA do homework or receive therapy, and where mothers read to their younger children. The grant was received last year, and a more recent Verizon employee book drive has helped bring new materials.

"Before it was kind of hit or miss ... there really was not a lot for all ages," Taylor said. "Now we've got everything from board books for infants to the 'Diary of Anne Frank.'"

Jewish Women International has a goal to build 100 children's libraries in domestic violence shelters across the United States. "This is one that JWI and Verizon collaborated to build," said Michelle Gilbert, a spokeswoman for Verizon.

A second $10,000 grant — this one from the Verizon Foundation — is for a new education program for girls and also for raising domestic violence awareness.

"Part of the problem with domestic violence is prevention," Taylor said. "What better way to address that than talking to kids as they enter those critical dating years — middle and high school — about what a healthy relationship looks like and what the signs of violence are in terms of someone who is very possessive and jealous."

Girls in the YWCA's Live Y'ers program will receive the instruction, and Taylor said the YWCA also plans to connect with local schools and other youth organizations.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Taylor said the YWCA is promoting its "Chalk it Up" campaign aimed at spreading the word about domestic violence through sidewalk messages.

Fifth Third Bank, the University of Southern Indiana and Harrison High School are among the businesses and schools participating.

"We're really trying to get the kids to help us more with that this year," Taylor said. She encouraged groups interested in participating to contact the YWCA at 812-422-1191.